The Dusty Red Family by Ted

the dusty red family
by Ted

crouching in the vines
beside the white river.
mother holds her child in her lap
as father looks stoically out

His look belies his fear
of his approaching enemy.
he keeps his kin near the river
because he knows no better

but the vines do not provide
nearly enough protection
his family is discovered
and will be broken

father is powerless to move
as the river walker
coldly rips him
from the vines

his wife and child
watch as he is crushed
under the weight
of his new master

is it a tear that rolls down
his Rubbermaid leg
or just the dying dew
shaken loose?